Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Stress-Free Hosting for Spontaneous Company

Throughout this holiday period, while there's plenty going on that the most lively people might sometimes anticipate the calm respite in the new year, it's all too easy to neglect things. I'm sure I cannot be the sole one who has once been surprised back to reality while at my desk by a message by someone asking, "What time are we expected over later?" Fear not; whether you're distracted, and simply likely to make impromptu gatherings, I have your back.

The Secret to Successful Gatherings

Above all, though I cannot stress it enough, if you have been planning for months versus just a short while, the best parties tend to be the easiest. What everyone really wants are a good chat, a drink to drink, and sufficient to eat so they do not feel like chewing their arm on the bus home. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy food and a live band.

The best parties tend to be the most basic. Still, an idea helps to mask the fact you've just put this thing on on the way back from the office.

Choosing a Concept to Guide The Party Planning

That said, an overarching idea works well to hide that you have only thrown the party on on the way after work. By concept, I mean such as Christmas. Getting slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, fish snacks plus rye crackers, Nordic beats selection; or fiesta-style party, including holiday punch, cold beers or margaritas, along with lots of corn chips, tomato dip & guacamole, and festive music playing) helps direct the selection during the upcoming shopping trip.

Practical Shopping for Your Party

At the shops, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option if you drink, a non-alcoholic one in case some prefer not to) plus a few nibbles suited to the theme, then purchase as much of them as possible, instead of stressing over offering guests endless options. Nothing appears more welcoming and celebratory as plenty – I would consistently rather to be welcomed with a container full of iced containers with affordable sparkling wine than one glass of expensive bubbly. (Include some bags for chilling, as well; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)

Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

If you must show off and provide a mixed drink, then prepare ahead a large batch in a container so that you aren't stuck messing about with it while you should be having fun. Once the party begins, ask a partner or friend to keep an eye on the drinks and replenish if required until it runs out. Follow suit for the non-alcoholic punch; guests enjoy to be given a job at a party allowing them to share in a share of festive spirit.

On the punch front, whichever recipe you pick (they abound via search), avoid any recipe too sweet – any kids there should have separate beverages – and if you have one, put a bottle of bitters close by (avoid adding them to the bowl since they are inappropriate for those who avoid alcohol altogether). Take care with presentation so the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to slice some slices of fruit into the bowl.

Nibbles That Work Without Effort

For me, I would avoid the readymade trays of "party foods" that appear in shops seasonally; they feel fussy, and usually require using the oven (if you choose to do this, know that everyone truly favors garlic bread or mini sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat two really big dishes with decent chips (salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, one of those great-value bags of mixed nuts often sold with global foods at the market, and maybe a few olives without stones for colour (try not to discover pits around the house next Easter).

In case, like my mum, you don't consider snacks substantial fare, a single big slab of tasty cheese served simply alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem visually appealing. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed on it (only one type, unless money is no object), or a handsome store-bought pastry, like those available on deli counters during festivities, proves more substantial, and you really will succeed by serving homestyle chunks of flatbread, because there's no need for buttering.

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